ASTM F3178-24 - Standard Practice for Operational Risk Assessment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

1.1 This practice focuses on preparing operational risk assessments (ORAs) to be used for supporting unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) design, airworthiness, and subsequent applications to the CAA for approval of low altitude operations (for example, below 400 ft AGL).

1.2 In mitigating and preventing incidents and accidents, it is understood that people generally do not seek to cause damage or injure others, and therefore, malicious acts are beyond the scope of this practice.

1.3 As part of the ORA, the applicant should clearly understand and be able to articulate their intended mission for purposes of assessing safety and providing information to the CAA. This documentation of a UAS operation (mission, or set of missions) is what many refer to as a concept of operations (CONOPS).2

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.